The Lost Ballot Box

Ingredients

• 2 cans black beans (400 g each), rinsed
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green jalapeño, sliced
• 1 can chopped tomatoes (400 g)
• 1 liter vegetable stock
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 lemon, juice and zest
• 4 thick slices rustic white bread
• olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste
• fresh coriander, for garnish

Method

1. Heat a splash of olive oil in a large pot. Sauté onion, garlic, celery, and bell pepper for 5 minutes until soft.
2. Add jalapeño and fry for 2 minutes.
3. Add beans, chopped tomatoes, stock, paprika, cumin, and coriander. Bring to a boil.
4. Simmer the soup for 25 minutes to let the flavors develop.
5. Blend half the soup with an immersion blender for a creamy texture, leave the rest chunky.
6. Stir in lemon zest and juice. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Toast the bread until golden. Cut each piece into a thick rectangle. Cut a narrow slit in the top, like a ballot box opening.
8. Pour the soup into bowls. Place a bread ballot box upright in each bowl, with the slit visible.
9. Garnish with fresh coriander.

Serving notes

• Serve with extra lemon wedges for more tang.
• Offer a small bowl of jalapeño for extra heat.
• Let guests dip pieces of bread into the 'ballot box'.